Ralang Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Namchi district, India.
Ralang Monastery stands at 8,000 feet altitude with traditional Tibetan architecture featuring intricate woodwork, detailed murals, prayer halls, and living quarters for resident monks who maintain daily spiritual practices.
The monastery was originally established in 1768 when the 9th Karmapa blessed the site by throwing rice grains from Tibet, and underwent major reconstructions between 1975-1981 and again in 1995.
The monastery belongs to the Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and hosts the annual Pang Lhabsol festival in December, featuring traditional Kagyed Chaam masked dances performed by monks to honor Mount Kanchenjunga.
Located 13 kilometers from Ravangla, visitors can reach the monastery via local roads, with the nearest airport being Bagdogra at 102 kilometers and New Jalpaiguri railway station at 125 kilometers distance.
The monastery houses two separate structures including the original Old Ralong built in 1768 and the newer Ralong Palchen Choling established in 1995, both serving active monastic communities on the same sacred grounds.
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